About this course

Entry requirements

To join the course, you will need either an appropriate life sciences degree or equivalent from a recognised academic institution, or an appropriate professional qualification or experience acceptable to the Programme Director and Director of Graduate Studies.

Months of entry

September

Course content

There is a national and international need for professionals who can apply a critical and scientific approach to their forensic practice, and who want to have a broad understanding of the various interrelated disciplines of forensic medicine and science. This programme answers that need, and provides you with theoretical knowledge of the forensic medical sciences. It will train you to critically evaluate and interpret forensic medical and scientific evidence.

The unprecedented programme will cover a wide range of specialist topics under the umbrella of the forensic medical sciences, coupled with the opportunity to carry out research in a specialist area.

You will study forensic pathology and will visit mortuaries to observe autopsies, attend court hearings, gaining knowledge of how injuries are interpreted and how cases are prepared for court. In clinical forensic medicine you will study the role of the doctor in assessing persons in custody, assault victims, child maltreatment, assessing torture victims, etc.

Other areas which are covered include drugs, alcohol and their misuse, and how these substances are detected and quantified. You will also study the various methods that deceased and living persons can be identified by both as single cases and in mass disasters, including by DNA, dental and other methods.

We also offer you the opportunity to further your career prospects within your own professional specialty. This programme should be regarded as an intermediate level for pathologists and forensic medical examiners who will be expected to progress to specialist exit level exams, through their respective academic colleges.

This programme will:

Allow you to gain a broad understanding of the related disciplines of science and forensics